During the pandemic, many gyms or workout studios were either closed or had to limit their members access. As a result, people were forced to seek out new ways to exercise.

Home gym and fitness equipment sales surged and was quickly sold out. Online fitness videos saw a massive increase in demand and outdoor walking and running suddenly became popular again.

But what if there was another exercise you could do that didn’t require any special equipment (beyond a good pair of shoes) and had the added benefit of being free?

Stair climbing may be just the right thing for you.

According to a research study conducted by McMaster University and UBC Okanagan;

“A few minutes of stair climbing, at short intervals throughout the day, can improve cardiovascular health”

As well, stair climbing can also help our overall health by;

• Improving our cardiac health
• Engaging multiple muscles
• Improving our balance
• Lowering our mortality risk

But like all exercise, you need to make sure that it’s the right exercise for you.

In an article published by US News, Dr. Kenneth Hunt shared that stair climbing may not be a good exercise for everyone;

“…if you have trouble with your balance and are prone to falling or have weakness, stiffness or pain in your feet, ankles, knees or hips, any kind of stair climbing may not be right for you. The same holds true if you have an inflammatory condition like arthritis, bursitis or degenerative joint disease. If you have these issues, you should check with a physical therapist or your primary care physician before initiating a stair climbing regimen.”

Also, your stair climbing form should be monitored to make sure that you don’t injure yourself. The following video from Dr. Lin outlines how to properly climb up stairs so you can try to avoid any injury.

So if your able to, why not try and squeeze some stair climbing into your day. Your health will thank you for it.